Home Page  About the Committee    Initiatives  Strategic Plan  Building Maintenance    School Finance  School Advocacy  Calendars  Links  Have a Question?  Contact Us	Initiatives Over the past several years there have been numerous initiatives in the Medfield Public Schools. The purpose of this webpage is to help the community be aware of changes and progress K-12. The list below highlights several, though by no means all, significant accomplishments. Curriculum Initiatives, Elementary Established a consistent writing program for the elementary grades using a writing workshop model developed by Lucy Calkins. Students are taught writing skills in a structured approach that focuses on skill improvement through direct instruction of skills and daily writing experiences.   A complete review of the math program was conducted. Changes are being implemented with the goal of basing instruction on a standards model. Students are moving beyond simple computation skills and now study areas like fractions and estimation. In the spring of 2007 teachers began training in the new edition of the Investigations Math program. Consultant support will be utilized during professional development time to introduce new materials to staff for implementation in the fall of 2007. The social competency program continues to be an effective model that supports students learning solid social behaviors in our lower elementary schools.  New staff are trained in the open circle method to support this initiative.  Monthly themes are established and a parental education component supports these themes in the home. At the Dale Street School the Character education curriculum has been completely reviewed and updated.  Increased focus on bullying and teasing with connections to bus behavior expectations.  Lessons on character education are now integrated in regular classroom instruction expectations. The use of guided reading at the Memorial School has been shared with the upper elementary staff to support literacy growth and development. The Wheelock School is developing a “Leveled Book Room” as a teacher/student resource library for guided reading. Funds are included in the district budget to acquire necessary materials. The MCPE provided a $5,000 grant for the purchase of leveled text sets. The reading support program has been expanded at the Memorial School from .5 staff to 1.5 FTE. Also at the Memorial School we have established a Kindergarten Literacy Lab model. Classroom teachers in grades (1) and (2) are assessing literacy development using the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) to determine guided reading levels of each child.   Technology Initiatives, Elementary Technology is available to all staff and students for productivity and instruction. Teachers are undergoing training in the use of TeacherWeb, an easy to use classroom website program. Additionally, a Literacy Through Technology Lab model utilizing trained parent volunteers has been developed. Dedicated literacy computers have been installed in a reading resource area for use by students who need literacy skill building. Technology Integration Specialists were hired to support teachers in integrating technology in classrooms, and to provide student instruction to students. At the Wheelock School there was a significant upgrade of technology including:  (4) computers in every classroom with color printers installed on each floor. In the Library Twelve (12) computers were installed fully networked to allow access to student work from any classroom computer. Program Initiatives, Elementary The preschool program provides an outstanding learning environment to special education and tuitioned regular education students.  The program has completed a nationally certified N.A.C.P.Y. accreditation process. The preschool program has an added extended day component to support students with social skills development. There is a new integrated full day Kindergarten program. The program services students with disabilities and other regular education students who pay tuition to attend the program. The Teacher Support Team was trained in Response To Intervention model through Pupil Services department. The TST utilizes model of setting goals and benchmarks for children in need of support and works through regular education case managers to help children progress within the classroom. The program monitors incremental improvements in student progress through planned sequential instruction with the goal of reducing the number of children screened for disabilities. Increase in hours for classroom aides for math instruction.  Math aides work directly with students of all ability levels, as well as create games for each classroom designed to promote practice with math concepts, Blake Middle School Initiatives and Program Highlights Implementation of Rs of Respect, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Reflection are the framework of all decisions in the school.  Try to shape discipline and all interactions with students and staff around these modeled goals. Entire staff trained in philosophy and strategies of differentiated instruction – a major focus and expectation for last four years. Cluster design daily team meeting to discuss students, meet with guidance and resource room staff, meet with staff to coordinate curriculum and assessment, meet with parents.  Goal to have improved communication and expectation. Created a common core curriculum – a school within a school as we’ve almost doubled population in last 8 years, and provided great support for new teachers as they are immediately a part of a team – allowed the emphasis to be on students first and always. Grades 6-8 curricula based on standards that are clearly articulated and assessed.   Strong Advisory Program to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of all students.  Continuing efforts to work with staff, students and parents address issues of safety, anti-bullying, diversity, etc. Professional development emphasized through new teacher program. School-wide reading and celebrations to create community authors for both kids and parents – Rachel Simmons/Mike Thompson. Establishment of professional learning communities of staff to better assure collaboration, consistency and clarity on a variety of instructional topics and beliefs. Teams of teachers have utilized professional development time to select important issues, research and present findings to the entire staff. Instructional staff is studying student work to improve instructional practices. Expanded opportunities for technology instruction through acquisition of computers, use of language laboratory and TV studio. Hired Technology Integration Specialist to support classroom staff with instruction. Medfield High School Initiatives/Program Highlights There were 219 graduates in the class of 2005.  Of these, 99% have gone on to further their studies at post-secondary institutions of learning.  Among many others, some of the schools to which our students were accepted included: MIT, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon University, Colgate, Boston College, Boston University, Colby College, Bates College, Smith College, Bowdoin College. Loyola University, Clark University, and West Point Military Academy. More than 95% of our graduating seniors took the College Board Examinations.  Our SAT I and SAT II scores were well above state and national averages.  We are pleased to announce that our verbal mean score was 571 and our mathematics mean score was 574.  Our students performed exceptionally well on the state mandated MCAS exams as well.  For instance, this year 94% of our 10th grade students scored in the Advanced/Proficient category in English/Language Arts (compared to 64% in the state) while 92% of our 10th grade students scored in the Advanced/Proficient category in mathematics (compared to 62% at the state level). For the second straight year our boy’s Lacrosse Team won a State Championship in Division II and our Girl’s Volleyball Team took home the Division II State Title with a dramatic win over Melrose.  Additionally, Medfield High School was a runner up for the prestigious Dalton Award.  This award is given to the school with the best winning percentage in Division III athletics in Massachusetts.  The football team won first ever State Championship Super Bowl.         The High School Orchestra performed at Boston’s Symphony Hall as part of the Stars at the Symphony Concert. The Jazz Ensemble was among 15 bands in America to be chosen to participate in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Competition held at Lincoln Center, New York City, NY.  Medfield jazz students spend a weekend in New York City learning from world famous musicians and performing at Lincoln Center. Our Jazz Ensemble took consecutive gold medals at the Massachusetts District and All-State Competition for the 4th straight year and was again invited to play at Boston’s Hatch Shell as part of the IAJE Showcase Concert. In Addition,   Completely interdisciplinary humanities program in grade 10.  Students are co-taught both English and social studies at all levels of ability. Nearly 90% of the student population participates in extra-curricular school programs.  Many of the athletic, drama, music and club activities are regularly recognized for outstanding performance. Students participate in Virtual High School program which allows student to take coursework through the Internet. Students have taken AP Calculus BC, AP Latin as well as a variety of other courses through VHS. Our students are eligible to enroll in INDEX, our foreign language independent study program.  This allows them to study languages not taught at Medfield High School.  These have included among others, German, Japanese, and Italian. Writing Lab programs provide students with specialized academic support The 10th grade EMS course.  This course, co-taught by an English and math teacher, services at risk students, and focuses on bolstering academic skills in preparation for the 10th grade assessment. Support systems that assist low performing students through MCAS remediation program in grade 10 and summer math academy. The Math Lab provides students with opportunities to obtain extra help in mathematics during the school day without missing class time. The Math Academy is a two week summer program designed to assist identified students with mathematical skills. We have revised our science curriculum so that students take physics in 10th grade. We saw an 8% increase in the number of students scoring in advance and proficient on MCAS in the first year in the new system. Offering new and creative courses including forensics, marine biology, photography, personal safety with model mugging, outdoor pursuits... New Teacher’s Academy for first year teachers which is supplemental to the district-wide teacher mentoring program. Creation of Leadership Seminar which was designed to encourage teachers to enter into the field of educational administration.   Professional development for staff that focus on improving instruction, such as Looking at Student Work; an initiative designed to encourage sharing amongst staff. We hold class meetings providing students with opportunities to meet with the administration and to allow students to engage their class representatives in issues related to school governance. We offer a Teacher Aide program which allows students interested in pursuing a career in education opportunities to assist in the classroom setting.  These internships take place throughout the district. We have a  Job Shadow Day program.  This allowed students to take a day to shadow a professional in a career field of interest to them. We offer a Senior Project Program.  Senior Projects allow students to conduct independent study in their fourth quarter on a subject of interest to them.   We offer a special mentoring program for incoming ninth grade students which allows them to begin the school year a half day early.  During that time, they meet teachers, tour the facility, go to lockers, practice using their schedules, and review the student handbook.  At the close of the first week there is a freshman dance sponsored by the Senior Ambassadors and 12th grade members of Student Council. A Senior Ambassadors program puts 12th grade students with ninth grade students as student mentors.   Facility Improvements Memorial: The entire school facility has been completed, renovated and expanded.  Appropriate classroom space is available for each grade level.  Specialized learning areas of art, music, physical education and student special educational services are now available.  The library is outstanding and age appropriate materials are available in the newly expanded collection. Wheelock: Significant investments to paint upstairs hallway and ceilings and both gyms. Significant upgrades to physical layout and appearance of the school library.  Installed air conditioning, replaced carpet, painting and carpentry work. Utilized funds from CSA and community partners to continue improvements to courtyard clean-up. Creating “quiet space” that will eventually be accessed through library where students/teachers can sit outside with books. Installation of elevator, handicapped accessible lavatory and additional handicapped parking. Dale: New flooring throughout the facility by removing carpeting and replacing with resilient floor tile. Complete renovation of all bathrooms in the building including painting, ceiling replacement, partitions, and ventilation improvements. Updated HVAC system and controls. Boiler was replaced. Installed new emergency generator and replaced all lighting fixtures with energy efficient lamps. Complete library renovation (new windows, shelving, carpeting etc.) provides a newer and updated facility to support instructional goals. Have begun replacement of exterior windows. Thomas Blake Middle School: The Middle School (formerly the high school) was significantly renovated in the 1990’s. During the recent High School renovation, additional work was done on the Blake Middle School including revamping of entrances, parking, roof improvements, and interior space painting, Six additional general classrooms were added to create space for rapid growth in student enrollments. Amos Clark Kingsbury High School:  The High School has been completely redone with two new wings and renovaion of all interior, existing space. Some of the new features include: New specialized instructional facilities that include state of the art air-conditioned auditorium, TV studio, art, music, drama, photography and library. A bright and spacious gymnasium that will support a variety of athletic events as well as all school meetings and other large events. This larger gymnasium with greater seating capacity has expanded areas for locker rooms and a fitness center complete with a weight room and cardio room Updated technology with over 400 individual computer workstations and four fully equipped computer labs with ceiling mounted LCD projectors and advanced software A roomy, air-conditioned auditorium with a top quality sound system and exceptional lighting with a seating capacity of well over 500 people A fully equipped television studio with the capability of broadcasting throughout the building A state of the art air-conditioned language lab and a fully equipped photo lab A beautifully designed library media center equipped with 20+computer workstations, smart boards, three small group meeting rooms and much, much more Six science labs equipped with brand new equipment including lap top computers and digital microscopes Three well lit and spacious art rooms A two level cafeteria complete with loose and fixed seating, and a sound system that can be used for a variety of events   District Initiatives/ Successes Successful completion of DOE Coordinated Review Audit. Successfully completed DOE Office of Educational Quality Audit. Recognized and commended by State Board of Education as only school district in Massachusetts to achieve 100% rating on audit report. District recognized as one of 30 “High Achieving” Massachusetts districts by Standard and Poor’s new accountability rating service which is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Blake Middle School recognized by New England League of Middles Schools as a “Spotlight” school. High School recognized by DOE as “Compass School” for outstanding results on MCAS testing. One of seven schools in Commonwealth in which student body achieved CPI index (avg. MCAS scoring) of 95 or above in both ELA and math and greater than 40% of students scored in advanced and proficient. Successful completion of comprehensive school building project which provides needed infrastructure improvements and space requirements. Completion of development of a multi-year strategic planning document. The plan is utilized by building and district level administrators to formulate goals and to develop the annual budget.
Standard and Poor’s identified Medfield as one of the Massachusetts school districts that consistently outperforms demographically similar school districts.  Medfield has had this distinction for 4 consecutive years.  (From Spring 2006 School Matters, A service of Standard and Poor’s.)